Two Surgeons Charged in Pacific Hospital Scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged two Southern California surgeons with receiving more than $1 million in kickbacks for performing spinal fusions and referring patients to have other services provided by Pacific Hospital of Long Beach. Dr. Jeffrey D. Gross, a neurosurgeon in Newport Beach, received at least $622,936 in kickbacks between 2008 and 2013 for surgeries he performed at or referred to Pacific Hospital, and for which the hospital was paid about $5.5 million, according to court documents. Dr. David H. Payne, an orthopedic surgeon in Santa Ana, received at least $450,000 in kickba...